NCC River House Sauna

As part of the National Capital Commission (NCC) Corporate Priority to develop and implement recreational and animation sites across the National Capital Region, the NCC River House, located at 501 Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway on the Ottawa River, has been identified as the site for a new year-round recreational infrastructure project. To support this priority and to take advantage of the current infrastructure, the NCC plans to install a floating sauna on the shoreline near the River House.

 

To ensure that the sauna's operations are reliable and safe and to lay the groundwork for future amenities and shoreline activities, the installation of a new electrical service bollard is proposed. This utility will be located approximately 75 metres east of the swim dock area and will connect to the main River House building. It will provide essential power not only for the sauna but also for potential future activities along the waterfront.

 

Currently, the lack of electrical infrastructure on the shoreline limits the ability to power new facilities or activities and to provide reliable year-round supply. The proposed electrical infrastructure, as part of the sauna installation, will not only support NCC's mandate to enhance public offerings, but also comply with operational, safety, and sustainability standards. The new electrical infrastructure will be designed using durable materials suitable for Ottawa's climate and recurring flood risks associated with the Ottawa River. The design will prioritize easy access for maintenance, minimize environmental impacts, and ensure dependable, year-round service to safeguard both public and operator safety.  Project implementation is planned for winter 2025-2026.

 

The National Capital Commission must determine whether the proposed electrical upgrades for recreational infrastructure at the NCC River House are likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects under sections 81-91 of the Impact Assessment Act, 2019 and the National Capital Act, 1985. A federal land use, design and transaction approval (FLUDTA) is required for this work.

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Latest update

January 24, 2025 – The public comment period on the project is closed. The National Capital Commission is considering comments received to help inform its determination on whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Notice of Intent to Make a Determination – Start of Public Comment Period - December 24, 2025

Contacts

National Capital Commission
Environmental Assessment
40 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5A8
Email: IA-EI@ncc-ccn.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • NCC River House (Ontario)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Recreation and Tourism

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2025-12-24

  • Proponent

    National Capital Commission

  • Authorities

    • National Capital Commission

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    90118

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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